FORMER Newcastle midfielder Didi Hamann has revealed a particularly memorable secret santa experience during his time at St James’ Park.

The former Germany international and Bayern Munich midfielder received ‘Mein Kampf’ - Adolf Hitler’s autobiography - for Christmas 1998.

Hamann, 43, spent just a season at Newcastle but the distasteful gift didn’t put him off life in England as he went on to have spells at Liverpool, Bolton, Manchester City and MK Dons.

His former team-mate Alessandro Pistone also suffered the same fate...

He told the Paddy Power blog at blog.paddypower.com: “I’m normally quite lucky with the presents I receive at Christmas time, but one Secret Santa at Newcastle in 1998 got a little out of hand.

“We all opened our gifts after dinner and someone had bought me ‘Mein Kampf’, Adolf Hitler’s autobiography! It wasn’t even the worst at the table.

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Alessandro Pistone was also on the receiving end of a bad secret santa gift

“Italian left-back Alessandro Pistone was slated for not having any heart at the club, and he got a pig’s heart in his Secret Santa. That was certainly borderline…”

Hamann admits he enjoyed the Premier League’s demanding Christmas fixtures but feels it is hurting England’s chances of winning a major tournament as other nations take a winter break.

“It was a bit of a culture shock coming from Germany where they have the winter break, to the Premier League in 1998 but I was well prepared. I always preferred to play than train, so Christmas suited me.

“It was an exciting time. You had a chance to pick up 10 or 12 points over the space of a week and you could build some serious momentum.

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Didi Hamann says Premier League needs a winter break

“Although I enjoyed playing, it is certainly damaging England’s chances of winning a major tournament.

“In the early noughties I was one of the only German senior players in the Premier League and it really showed when we met up for the March internationals.

“The other lads were clearly more rested and refreshed than me.

“When you play at the highest level for 10 months straight year after year, you can’t expect to go to a major tournament and continue to perform. England will always suffer without a winter break.”